Coulter Group Campground
Nestled within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Coulter Group Campground offers a secluded forest setting ideal for family reunions, youth groups, scout troops, and other organized gatherings. Located within the Chilao Recreation Area at approximately 5,200 feet in elevation, the campground provides a peaceful mountain retreat with convenient access to hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, scenic drives, and other recreational opportunities. The campground accommodates groups of up to 50 people and offers a private camping experience while remaining just minutes from the Chilao Visitor Center and Angeles Crest Scenic Byway.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 50 / 12 | No |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
The site record lists no campfires. The campground description says the site has a campfire ring.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
Coulter Group Campground features a single reservable group campsite accommodating up to 50 people. The site includes four group picnic tables, a large group campfire ring with benches, cooking grills, a vault toilet, and parking for passenger vehicles and RVs up to 40 feet in length. A potable water spigot (Woodford hydrant) is available within the campground. While drinking water is provided, larger groups are encouraged to bring additional water containers for convenience.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From the Los Angeles Basin: Take Interstate 210 to State Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) in La Cañada Flintridge. Travel north on State Route 2 for approximately 26 miles to the Lower Chilao Road (look for the Chilao Overnight campground sign). Turn left onto Lower Chilao Road and continue 0.1 mile to the "Y" intersection.
| Coordinates | 34.3228° N, 118.0178° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Camping: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. Late Cancellations Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. No-Shows Camping: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival.
Fire nearby
- WildfireBryson
50 mi from the campground · 200 acres · 0% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 12.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Giant RV ↗ | 27 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 35.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Coulter Group and Meadow Group Campgrounds 11-23-14
Worth a stop
Nearby attractions include the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, the scenic Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2), and several nearby hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and picnic areas. The Chilao Visitor Center, located approximately 1.5 miles east of the campground, is open on weekends and offers exhibits, maps, visitor information, and interpretive programs by advance request.
- 0.7 miChilao Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 0.8 miDevil's Canyon (Hwy 2) Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.9 miCharlton Flats Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 2.4 miThree Points Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.2 miWest Fork Fishing Access Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 10.8 mi
Show all 7Hide
- 11 miFisherman's Point Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miBee Tree Interpretive0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miIndian Trail0.07 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miCreekside0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miNational Forest Hiking Trail0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miDevils Canyon2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.3 miMt. Hillyer1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.8 miDevil's Canyon Trailhead ↗Angeles National Forest
- 2.4 miThree Points Trailhead ↗Angeles National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Angeles National Forest.
- inAngeles National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 706,719 acres
- 1.1 miSan Gabriel Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 35,738 acres
- 4.1 miPleasant View Ridge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 26,839 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Coulter Group Campground is surrounded by a mixed conifer forest of Jeffrey pine, Coulter pine, incense cedar, and native chaparral. Fragrant pines provide some shade during the summer months, while the campground's elevation offers cooler temperatures than the surrounding valleys. The surrounding forest provides habitat for mule deer, gray squirrels, bobcats, coyotes, Steller's jays, acorn woodpeckers, hawks, and many other wildlife species. During spring and early summer, native wildflowers brighten the forest floor, while autumn brings crisp mountain air and seasonal color.
Recreation
Coulter Group Campground serves as an excellent base camp for exploring the many recreational opportunities found throughout the Chilao Recreation Area. The nearby Silver Moccasin Trail is open to hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking and connects with the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, offering opportunities for day hikes or extended backcountry adventures. Additional Forest Service roads and trails throughout the area provide opportunities for wildlife viewing, bird watching, photography, trail running, scenic driving, and exploring the diverse landscapes of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Coulter Group Campground?
Sites at Coulter Group Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Coulter Group Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Coulter Group Campground?
Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Camping: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Coulter Group Campground have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Coulter Group Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Coulter Group Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Coulter Group Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Coulter Group Campground?
Coulter Group Campground serves as an excellent base camp for exploring the many recreational opportunities found throughout the Chilao Recreation Area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Coulter Group Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Meadow Group Campground (0.1 mi), Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop (0.4 mi), and Horse Flats Campground (1.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby